Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan issued Order No. 155, making groundbreaking revisions to the country's plant protection product registration regulations. This new policy is undoubtedly a "weather vane" that enterprises planning to enter the Kazakh pesticide market in 2026 need to pay close attention to. The most significant change is that all registration application materials must be submitted electronically throughout the entire process, and the mandatory use of the registration holder's valid digital signature (EDS) is required. This means that the traditional paper-based submission model will completely become a thing of the past, and companies that fail to obtain an EDS in advance will be directly barred from registration in 2026.

2026 Registration Application: Time Window and Key Milestones

According to the latest revisions, the submission channel for Kazakhstan's plant protection product registration applications for 2026 will officially open on December 10, 2025, and close on February 1, 2026. Although the submission period is basically consistent with previous years, given the mandatory requirements for full electronic submission and digital signatures, companies must be fully prepared in advance to seize this limited time window.

Core Transformation: Mandatory Requirements for Full Digitization and Digital Signatures

The core highlight of this revision lies in its thorough digital transformation of the application process. The new regulations explicitly state (emphasized in Articles 7 and 25 of the regulations) that all application materials must be submitted electronically through the government portal, and the entire process cannot be separated from the registration holder's valid digital signature (EDS).

This is in stark contrast to previous policies. Previously, companies could temporarily not provide an EDS when submitting registration applications, but now, from application initiation, material upload to final review, EDS has become an indispensable "hard condition." If a company fails to obtain a valid EDS in time, its application will not be able to be submitted, and it will have to wait for the next annual registration cycle, thus missing the excellent opportunity for project deployment in 2026.

Considering the opening time of the registration application (December 10) and the time required for EDS application, review, and issuance, we have compiled the following key time nodes for enterprises, which must be given high priority:

Latest EDS completion deadline: December 30, 2025. This is an extremely important time node. If a company delays the EDS processing until the end of January 2026, it will most likely miss the registration submission deadline of February 1, thereby directly affecting the project progress. Therefore, it is recommended that companies complete the EDS processing before December 30.

Registration application submission window: December 10, 2025 - February 1, 2026. It is strongly recommended that companies submit applications as early as possible after obtaining the EDS. The advantage of doing so is that it allows ample time for review feedback, and if there are any material detail issues, there will be enough time to adjust and supplement, avoiding minor errors that delay the entire project.

The upgrade of Kazakhstan's pesticide registration process is not only a technical change but also reflects the Kazakh government's determination to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen data security, and standardize market order. For pesticide export enterprises, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.

Suggested Response Strategies:

Immediately start EDS processing: Make obtaining a valid digital signature (EDS) the top priority. Understand the processing procedures, required materials, and maintain close communication with relevant agencies to ensure smooth completion before December 30.

Familiarize yourself with the electronic submission platform: Learn about the electronic submission system of the Kazakhstan government portal in advance, familiarize yourself with its operating interface and upload requirements, and avoid being flustered during submission.

Prepare electronic materials meticulously: According to the new regulations, digitize all application materials, ensuring correct file formats, clear content, and compliance with electronic submission standards.

Establish an internal coordination mechanism: Involve collaboration across multiple departments, including R&D, registration, legal, and IT, to ensure smooth information flow and efficient completion of all preparatory work.

Seek professional assistance: If there are difficulties in understanding the new regulations or obstacles in applying for EDS, it is recommended to seek assistance from professional third-party consulting agencies in a timely manner to ensure compliance and efficiency.

As an important country along the "Belt and Road" initiative, Kazakhstan's pesticide market potential should not be underestimated. The upgrade of the registration process undoubtedly puts higher demands on companies' refined management and rapid response capabilities. Only by closely following policy steps and making full preparations in advance can companies seize the initiative in the fierce market competition and successfully achieve strategic deployment in the Kazakh market.